Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Ever feel like you are juggling too many things? Finding it hard to balance
everything? Here are a few tips that may help you organize your life.

Tip #1: Prioritize
Many times you have a list of things to do that is a mile long. You can't do it all at once therefore you much prioritize. Organize your items in order of importance. This may be by date, urgency, need etc. Whatever the criteria, your list must be prioritized.

Tip #2: Don't Stress
This is easier said than done. Stressing is one of the first ways many people cope with having too much on their plate. Just think, is stressing going to solve your problem? The answer is, no! Dealing with the task at hand will solve your problem!

Tip #3: Get Organized
Getting organized is very important. Chaos breeds more chaos. Get your home and yourself organized. Try creating a home binder that will help you keep track of everything that goes on in the home. You may put your grocery list, coupons, schedules, medical records, pet information, car maintenance etc. in this binder.

Tip #4: Rome wasn't built in a day
Rome wasn't built in a day and neither was your life. Don't try to do everything at once. Give all of your tasks a specific amount of time. Make sure to figure in some rest time because you won't be able to tackle your load without it!

Tip #5: Let's Sweat!
Stay healthy. A rigorous schedule requires a healthy body. That means the proper balance of diet, fitness, and rest. I know you are saying, "My schedule is already loaded, how am I going to put exercise in there too?" Going back to tip #1, Prioritize. YOU should be at the top of your priority list. That includes allowing some time to workout. Mother's tend to put themselves last on the list of priorities (I know, I am guilty of it as well). We have to start valuing ourselves. Cause when you think about it, if we don't take care of ourselves and get sick, who is gonna take care of that massive list of things?

Tip #6: Master Procrastinator!
Don't procrastinate! Putting things off until the last minute will only make matters worse. By putting it off, you are constantly thinking about it, therefore stressing, while letting something else arise that needs to be added to your list of things. If it's in front of you to do, get it done! You will thank yourself later!

Hopefully these tips can help you to regain control over your life and give you time for what is really important!

Monday, December 19, 2011

Do you wish you could have all the tools needed to accentuate your very best features? Now you can, with our Professional 83-Piece Makeup Collection! This convenient, complete makeup collection for eyes, lips and face allows you to be your own makeup artist!

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Budgeting is an essential part of running a successful household. Many times we don't realize that our house is a business. Would you spend a company's funds without allocating them? Don't do that in your household either! Here are some tips to help you get your household finances on track. I will put links to free tools that you can use at the bottom!

Step #1: Track your spending!
One of the first things that you need to do is track the money that you are spending. You need to find out where your money is going so that you know how much you need to allocate to each category. You can either do this through a spreadsheet or use a website or app to help you. One popular website is Mint. Mint allows you to enter all of your financial data, budget it, and track spending habits. This is a very useful tool for anyone.

Step #2: Gather Data!
Setting up a budget requires a bit of discipline. A budget is not set in place to limit your spending, but to allow you to have all the things you desire. Tools you need to set up your budget are a spreadsheet, a mobile app, a website, or a piece of paper, to log your budget. You will also need your income information and monthly expenses. Once you have all of your information, you are ready to begin.

Step #3: Log all data!
Now that you have gathered all of your data, you are ready to begin your budget. List all of the expenses that are standard from month to month (Mortgage, utilities, food etc.). Allocate a certain amount of funds for each section. Start with necessities and work your way down to extras.

Step #4: Implement!
Now that you have your budget down on paper (or computer), it is time to implement it. In order for budgeting to be successful, you have to follow it!

Step #5: Watch it work!
You are now following your budget and guess what? You may find that you actually have extra money. Now you are not living pay check to pay check and you always have money in your bank account! You are even building a savings! Way to go!

Monday, December 12, 2011

Does getting your child to bed seem like a daunting task? It doesn't have to be. Try some of the tips below to assist you in your bed time war!

Tip #1: Create a Routine and Follow it!
Children are creatures of habit. They love watching the same movie over and over. They love the same bedtime story night after night. They even request the same snacks day in and day out. Bedtime is no different. Create your routine and stick to it every night! You will notice that your child will no longer protest (or at least not as much).
Tip #2: Feed and Conquer!
Children always try to find any excuse not to go to bed. Make sure they eat a nice dinner about 2 hours before bedtime. You will notice that they are satisfied and won't complain. And remember, sugar is your enemy! No sugar after 5pm is my motto! That way it has time to get through their system.
Tip #3: Where's my Rubber Ducky?

Warm baths are very soothing. Make sure your child takes a nice warm bath before bed. Let them play a little! This process gets any last need to play out (hopefully). It also relaxes them and gets their bodies ready for slumber.
Tip #4: Comfy PJ's
Make sure that their pajamas are comfortable. Whether its warm and soft or cool and free, just make sure that your little person finds them comfortable. Don't put them in feeted pajamas if they don't like it. They will just protest.
Tip #5: Who Turned Out the Light?
Darkness promotes sleep. If your child is afraid of the dark, let them pick out a cool night light that they love. Make it fun! This way they will beg you to cut the light off just to see their new cool night light glow in the dark.
Tip #6: No Play Zone!
All activities leading up to bed time should be calming. No wild jumping on the bed or wrestling or any other physically or mentally stimulating activities. Think zen.

Tip # 7: The Princess (or Prince) and the Pea.
Make sure their bed is nice and cozy. Whatever that means to your child. Whether its with lots of pillows and a thick blanket or no cover at all. Whatever it is, let your child's sleeping place be specially tailored to their wants and desires. After all they will be spending many hours there getting their beauty rest!

Hope these tips help you to get your little angel off to slumber land! Also, here are some products that you might find useful!Amazon.com Widgets

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Shopping can be a stressful time during this time of year. Follow these steps to help you survive the holiday shopping blues.
Step 1: Make a budget and stick to it.
Many times when we go shopping, we grab everything that we see and don't consider our budget. This is a mistake because you don't want to go into the new year with fresh debt.

Step 2: Be realistic about how much you have to spend.
If you can't afford it, DON'T buy it!
Step 3. Make a list and check it twice!
Santa's not the only one who needs a list! Make a list of everyone you want to get a gift for. On that list put what you want to get them and how much you want to spend. This way, you will have a plan of what stores to go to and what you are purchasing.

Step 4. Shop around!
When I say shop around, I don't mean actually travel to a bunch of different stores to compare prices, I mean look online. Google it! You will be able to see a range of prices and stores that offer what you want at the best price. You may even find that purchasing your item online is more feasible.

Step 5. Map out your trip.
Plan what stores you would like to go to and then map out the best route. Head over to Google maps if you need to. You can add multiple destinations and map the shortest route. With gas prices being so expensive, you don't want to waste gas and money. Also, you'll be more eco-friendly by conserving gas!

Step 6. Plan ahead!
You don't want to wait until the last minute to get your shopping done. Being caught in a crowd of people fighting over the same item is no fun!

Step 7: Plan for backup!
Always have a backup plan. This way if you can't find an item that you are looking for, you can just purchase something else! No use in stressing about it!

Step 8: Buy online.
Online shopping is the way to go if you are pressed for time or can't get to a store. A great place to start is Amazon. There are many great deals and multiple sellers so that you can get the best deal!

Step 9: Never shop on an empty stomach!
This is the easiest way to spend more than you planned and increase your waistline. Either plan a time to eat during your shopping trip or eat before you head out. Also, you want to have a clear head while shopping and many times people don't think straight on an empty stomach!

Step 10: No Bebe's Kids allowed!

Leave the kids at home (if you can). Shopping is much more enjoyable and more efficient when the munchkins are left at home. We all love them dearly but "Mommy, I have to go potty" and "Mommy, I'm hungry" is going to slow you down.

Step 11: Relax, Relate, Release!
It's just shopping! Don't let it be stressful, let it be fun! If you encounter a bad attitude along the way, just know that they didn't get the memo on the "Survival Guide For Shopping During the Holidays!" :-)

Once you have all of these ingredients, you are ready to begin baking.

First step: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Next you are ready to mix together your ingredients. Cream together the butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until it is smooth. Make sure the butter is nice and soft so that it is easy to work with and mixes well with the sugar. You don't want it to be lumpy but creamy. Then beat in the eggs one at a time. Then stir in the vanilla. Dissolve baking soda in hot water. Add to batter along with salt and baking powder. Stir in flour, chocolate chips, and nuts. Mix until you have a nice creamy mixture and the ingredients are mixed together well. Drop large spoonfuls onto ungreased pans. Make sure that your cookies are spaced about 2 inches apart so that they don't end up being one large cookie (unless that's the look you are going for, lol).

Bake for about 10-12 minutes in the preheated oven, or until edges are nicely browned.

Let cool for about 2 minutes before you remove them from the cookie sheet so that they have a chance to firm and not break.

Enjoy with your favorite beverage! Mine is coffee! Your cookies should be firm on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. To me, these are the perfect chocolate chip cookies.

Remember, as with any recipe you should add your own twist. Don't feel bound by the recipe. Someone had to come up with the recipe that you are using and they did that by using their creativity and trying new things! Happy baking!

Friday, December 9, 2011

During this time of year, it is fun to do arts and crafts with the kids. One fun idea is a gingerbread house. The kids will love getting messy and creative while constructing their master piece. There are kits available at various stores. I bought one for my kids at Walmart for $9. I will upload pictures to let you all know how it turned out. Any of you building gingerbread houses this year?

Indulge yourself in this spa in a basket. As mommy's, we sometimes forget to treat ourselves. An evening of relaxation beckons from this picnic basket! Bath gel, soap, lotion, and bath salts in a delicious "Pure Pleasure Honey Vanilla" scent are combined with a wood massage tool and a sponge.

Christmas is a time of year where the spirit of giving is alive. Use this time to teach your children about the spirit of giving. Even if you don't celebrate Christmas. Giving has no religion, ethnicity, race, or language attached. It is something that we all can enjoy! Find a toy drive location near you by clicking the picture below.

Welcome to The Cosmopolitan Mommy. My goal is to create a place where moms can come to "hang out" on the web. I will offer you information about all things concerning us mommy's. Feel free to comment on things that you would like to see on this blog! I look forward to chatting with all of you!